Death of Paddy Berkery, 84

Monday, May 06, 2013

By Jim Olney

Former Ireland and Munster full-back Paddy Berkery has died, aged 84.

Berkery was capped 11 times for his country, making his debut against Wales in 1954. He marked his final appearance in March 1958 by landing a penalty to help secure a 12-6 win over Scotland on the same day the great Jackie Kyle won his final cap.

Two months earlier, Berkery was part of the first Ireland team to defeat a major touring side when the men in green secured a 9-6 victory over Australia at Lansdowne Road.

A native of Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Berkery captained Old Crescent before moving to Lansdowne. He captained the Dublin club in the 1956-57 season and became president 20 years later.

Berkery played many times for Munster and his stellar performance in the 3-6 loss to the touring All Blacks in Cork in 1954 drew high praise from the opposition. Last November, Berkery was inducted into the Guinness Hall of Fame.